In rivalry, a new frontier is blazed

WALLINGFORD — Friday was a big day for Wallingford sports, no matter which side of town you call home.

The Lyman Hall and Sheehan rivalry is well known and has been for decades. Friday evening at Lyman Hall’s Fitzgerald Field represented a new chapter in the long tradition of east versus west: varsity lacrosse.

The Titans swept the inaugural double-header matchup between the two schools, as the girls topped the Trojans 19-2 and the boys secured a 14-4 win.

“It’s a big day for all of us,” said Sheehan girls head coach Charissa Zbikowski. “It’s both teams’ inaugural season and both should be proud of how far we have come.”

Ten different Lady Titans found the back of the net in the first of Friday’s two games. Sheehan held a commanding 12-1 edge after the end of the first half. The Titans (2-6) would go on to outscore LH (0-8) 7-1 in the second frame.

Caitlin Jagoda and Emilee Giacondino led the way with three goals apiece, while Lauren Hazelwood, Nikki Kern, Natalee Giacondino, Abbie Jagoda and Briana Petrucelli all added two.

“We did the best we could,” said Lyman Hall girls coach Adam Rosati. “We have to find a way to be more consistent throughout the game. We were beat a few times in transition.

“But the girls are very excited to be here at the varsity level,” he added, “It’s important to them. They are really stoked.”

The Sheehan dominance continued right through to the boys’ nightcap under the lights, as the Titans jumped out to an early 4-1 lead after the end of the first quarter thanks to three goals from Bobby Carey and one from Bruce Rutkowski.

A Rutkowski goal and scores from Kevin Frisco and Nate Carney made it a 7-2 advantage at halftime.

“They played awesome,” said Sheehan coach Dan Wostbrock, his team now 4-5. “I couldn’t ask for anything more. The guys were really excited before the game. We knew (Lyman Hall) was going to come out and play strong, but we proved ourselves.

“We moved the ball very well tonight,” he continued. “There was a lot of unselfish passing.”

Carey stole the show in the second half, adding three more goals for a game-high total of six.

“He’s a standout player,” Wostbrock said of his junior captain. “He’s always looking to pass before he shoots. He’s doing a really great job this year.”

Like their female counterparts, the Lyman Hall boys (2-5) could not generate much offense.

Mitch Riordan and Connor Sullivan did all the scoring for the Trojans, both finding the back of the net twice.

“Things didn’t fall our way tonight,” said LH assistant coach Tim Castelli, who was filling in for Steve Anderson. “But I’m happy with the way we played. For a first-year program, they have been battling to the end every single game. There is nothing else you can ask for as a coach.

“These (Lyman Hall and Sheehan) guys have been playing together since they were kids,” Castelli added. “As coaches, we didn’t have to say anything to get them pumped up for tonight.”